Kendra S. Horn: “Mr. Speaker, health care paperwork has become a complex and often confusing problem for many Americans. Many of us have…”

“Mr. Speaker, health care paperwork has become a complex and often confusing problem for many Americans. Many of us have experienced the confusion of erroneous billings, lengthy delays in reimbursement, and troubling disputes about what is and is not covered under a health care plan. These problems are of particular concern in the Medicare program, the largest purchaser of health care in the world and a program that is absolutely vital to nearly 40 million senior citizens who rely on its services. In the early 1990's, the Medicare program was designated as one of the Government's high-risk programs by the Comptroller General of the United States and his General Accounting Office. Medicare's size, complexity, and lack of management controls are a problem and worthy of our attention. Each year the House Subcommittee on Government Management Information and Technology, which I chair, conducts oversight hearings to determine what progress has been made in resolving the management problems within Medicare.”